[CasearianDaoist]

I think that's all it is - a drainage tunnel. The troopers had to check it out and some reporter thinks it is a major find. I imagine the CIA bribed every contractor that has worked there for the last 12 years. I doubt that the 3rd Army has either the time or the inclination to "poke around" in structures. The interesting question is "why sieze the airport first?"

[commish]

TO open it up to "Freedom Airlines"

[Air Force Born]

Big flat area, easy to defend, good for bringing in ammo and food, and BIG thumb in the eye of the late Saddam H.'s henchmen.

[AFPhys]

There is no way you can avoid first seizing that airport if you wish to control Baghdad. Check out a map of the city and surrounds, and it will be pretty obvious why.

[Green]

The interesting question is "why sieze the airport first?"

Stormin Norman has said on many occasions that he knew that Saddam had an airplane on standby to take him out of the counry during the first gulf war. Perhaps taking the airport was to prevent a quick get away attempt (not that he would have gotten very far)